Pacific Northwest Salmon

Some of my best memories of enjoying salmon come from time spent in Seattle, Washington and Victoria, BC. I can hear the horns of the ships in the harbors as I write these lines.

Mornings near the docksides were full of surprises - fish markets with attached cafes, small Korean restaurants, Greek diners, book shops, friendly people, and a chance to see fish unloaded for sale.

Out in the waters of the Inner Harbour in Victoria, the dolphins awaited their tourists - occasionally jumping into the sky - and once a whale appeared. To live beside such waters would be a miracle.

There happens to be senior housing within the permeter of of Seattle's grand xxx Market, so one day I may relocate to the enchanted Pacific Northwest of fish markets, First Nations, and the sacred salmon.

Pink Salmon | Source

Pacific Northwest First Nations salmon in traditional art. | Source

Salmon, the Staple Food

On the northwest coast of the USA and Canada, salmon has been a staple food for First Nations for many centuries.

Salmon is so important, that it quickly became a power animal in indigenous foundation stories. You may recognize this concept as "totem animal."

Power animals were believed to be the founders of tribes and bands of Native North Americans, becoming human beings as they traveled across the border from the supernatural world to the Earth. At the same time, this fish became a major source of protein for the indigenous populations.

For the Haida and some other northwestern nations, the full moon of July is the Salmon Moon.

A related festival is held after great fishing expeditions and salmon is emjoyed in many ways - grilled, barbecued, steamed, and in other ways..

After the summer catch months, much of the captured salmon is smoked or dried for winter consumption.

Health Benefits of Salmon

One of the top benefits is the Omega-3 fatty acids salmon contains, associated with healthy heart menus. Other good things in salmon include:

Bioactive protein molecules (peptides) - support for cartilage, insulin efficiency, and prevention of inflammation in the digestive system.

Contains Vitamins A, D, B, B6, and E as well as several minerals.

Species at low risk for contamination by mercury and other elements: wild-caught Alaskan, Chinook, coho, sockeye, and pink especially.

Salmon Sales

In the Long Ago, wild salmon ran even in the Big River - the Ohio. When French trappers arrived in that Northwest Territory of Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, they found Native North Americans catching salmon "as long as a man's arm." These were fish that were always over three feet long and often times longer.

Today, we may find a 5 oz. can of pink salmon on the grocery store shelf, or a much more expensive 15 oz. can. Shoppers who are fortunate have a local a supermarket with fresh fish brought in daily and there, a decent salmon may be had.

Kroger stores' fresh fish departments have been selling salmon at reasonable prices for several months (2013) and near the end of the day, salmon steaks are wrapped iup and displayed at half price. They are not three feet long, but they are good in flavor and color.

Giant Eagle Marketplace stores offer a wider selection of fresh seafood and this in a place to find high quality salmon, although the prices are also higher than at Kroger.

Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio are situated on waterways that make intake of fresh fish shipments easy and less expensive. Cinci is the home of Kroger Stores, hence the cheaper prices in those supermarkets.

My favorite salmon, though, was an amount of peppered salmon received as a gift in British Columbia. I can taste it now!

Cook Time

Please Rate This Pie

Instructions

In a medium size skillet, cook onion in butter until tender over medium heat.

Add salmon, potatoes, milk, dill, and black pepper. Stir until warmed through and turn off heat.

Place bottom crust into a 9" pie plate and pour in the salmon mixture.

Plce top crust over filling and press edges to seal all around.

With a fork, mame a decorative pie crust rim on sealed circle edge.

Cut three slits 2" long in the center of the top crust.

Bake pie on lowest rack for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Let stand for 10 minutes and serve.

Simple Salmon Pie

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 1/8 Pie

Calories

400

Calories from Fat

207

% Daily Value *

Fat 23 g

35%

Saturated fat 10 g

50%

Unsaturated fat 13 g

Carbohydrates 32 g

11%

Sugar 2 g

Fiber 2 g

8%

Protein 13 g

26%

Cholesterol 85 mg

28%

Sodium 380 mg

16%

* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change
depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been
professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

A Different Type Of Salad

Easy Salmon Salad

This simple salad takes only about 10 minutes to prepare.

Mix the following ingredients in a small bowl. Enjoy immediately or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to two days:

Comments

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Author

Patty Inglish 3 years agofrom North America

Catfish is delicious in my opinion, too! Peppered salmon is one of my favorites, and that pepper is important to the flavor, to me. Thanks for voting and sharing!

Shyron E Shenko 3 years agofrom Texas

Hi Patty, I can almost hear the horns of the ships when I read this hub. I like salmon, but it is not my favorite. Trout and Cat my favorite.

Your hub is wonderful. Voted up, UAI and shared.

Author

Patty Inglish 4 years agofrom North America

Hi, Everyone! I appreciate all of your comments very much.

Victoria Lynn - Sometimes when I make my own pie crust, I divide up the mixture for 4 to 6 individual pot pies. You could probably add other vegetables, too - like mushrooms.

Thanks for the pin!

PegCole17 - Well, I can't say it right even 2 times! Ranch dressing sounds pretty good for an addition.

kashmir56 - We like the same pie! We must enjoy it together sometime.

randomcreative - I hope you like both recipes. I had to go make some salmon salad when I completed this Hub!

Rose Clearfield 4 years agofrom Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Both of these salmon recipes sound delicious! Thanks for all of the detailed information.

Thomas Silvia 4 years agofrom Massachusetts

Hi Patty great informative article on salmon and all it's good benefits. I make my salmon pie that way too, loved the poem and salad recipe as well .

Vote up and more !!! Sharing !

Peg Cole 4 years agofrom Dallas, Texas

That Salmon salad sounds scrumptious. Try saying that 3 times! I really like the idea of the black olives in your recipe. I make mine with a touch of Ranch dressing and pickle relish. Your poetry was a nice added touch.

Victoria Lynn 4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

I like the poems! I really like salmon, and the salmon pie looks great. Must pin this one. Thanks!

Author

Patty Inglish 4 years agofrom North America

Canned Salmon! What a delicious treat to have on hand. BC is lovely all over, isn't it? But so is Ontario, or as the travel commercial sings it: Ontari-ari-ari-ooooooo!

Zsuzsy Bee 4 years agofrom Ontario/Canada

Hiya Patty, how are you. Salmon Pie.... Yum, yum, yum. I absolutely love salmon. I know I will love this recipe. Thank you for sharing...

The best ever salmon I had was when we lived in BC. I canned and canned more jars of it. Yum,